SPCS Flashcards
What were you required to do to move from being a sole trader to a limited company?
Set up the company (our accountant dealt with this for us) change the details of our registrations with bodies like ARMA and FCA and update the management agreements that were in place with our clients.
What do you have to provide in your annual returns to HMRC?
We have to submit annual accounts, confirmation statement, corporation tax return. CT return includes
How did you approach the task of finding out what tasks each staff member were doing?
How did you assess the different personalities of your staff members?
What existing IT systems were you using?
Microsoft suite, Blockman
Why were the existing IT systems a weakness?
Limited capabilities, slow to develop
What made your company vulnerable in relation to legislation changes?
We are vulnerable in that we don’t have the resources of larger firms and there has been a lot of new legislation to process and absorb in the last few years.
How did you think you could remove those vulnerabilities?
By having a dedicated person or department to look at all new legislation and put new systems in place for dealing with it. As it is, our H&S consultant and Senior Team have to do that ourselves alongside our other commitments.
Why was it important to you to make the staff feel involved in the future company plans?
Because teamwork makes the dream work
What alternative systems did your staff review for invoice processing and contractor payments?
We looked at complete systems that would replace our existing system in its entirety (such as Resident, Blocks Online) and also systems we could bolt-on to what we were already using like Dwellant who offer various or Gigabyte who could provide a supplier portal to help specifically with invoice processing.
How did you appoint the new team leaders?
How could you have undertaken a fair recruitment process for the new heads to give everyone the same equal opportunity to apply?
What adjustments did you make to some of the other roles and why?
Tell me about your Data security policy and any changes you had to make for the new ways of working.
Our data security policy sets out what is expected of our staff when accessing data in the office, from home or when on the move. We made sure that things like company-issued devices must be password-protected and configured with encryption and employees must use secure networks when accessing Company data remotely were included in the policy.
What updates did you make to your Personal security policy in line with Surveying Safely?
Surveying Safely 2nd edition, November 2018 (effective from February 2019) is a Professional Standard. Make sure that staff are aware that the requirements regarding dynamic risk assessment of working environment, regular breaks apply when working at home as well as in the office.
How did you identify what the new structure should look like?
How are you approaching the refresh of your website and marketing?
In discussion with our marketing & IT guy and to place more focus on our estate & block management activities
How does the new structure enable personal development of your staff?
How did you ensure your staff were happy with the changes?
Once you qualify what will you need to do to register the firm with RICS?
Provide information to RICS in such form as prescribed by the Standards and Regulation
Board.
How have you developed relationships with clients?
How are you sourcing new business?
What measures do you take to ensure you have the resource to take on new business?
